Back from Vacation to find sick dogs

[okpik]

I just returned from a cruise and found my dogs to have a terrible sneezing thing and a rasping cough.

My brotherinlaw used the same (what we thought was a good place),
Kennel and his dog is sick as well.

They all had the spray for Kennel cough before we left.
I am going to the Vet today but my question is,

Do I have any recourse with the Kennel if they allowed a sick animal in with the healthy ones?

[Novel]

Nope, most kennels have you sign a waiver when you go in. Dogs that have been vaccinated against kennel cough can still get it. It's a treatable illness and they'll be right as rain in a week or so.

Your vet may give an antibiotic, but mostly you just want them to stop coughing. Use Robitussin ... but NOT dimetapp. Dimetapp has a toxic ingredient.

Even the best kennels get dogs with kennel cough. It really shouldn't be a reflection on the kennel. Kennel cough is the equivalent to the flu or common cold in people. It's everywhere, highly contagious and there is really no true vaccine for it. Your best protection is a healthy immune system which fewer and fewer dogs possess. Now add to it that all the dogs are stressed because they are in a "new" environment, the kennel, and you've got the perfect area to spread kennel cough... ever wonder why it got it's name??

Most dogs that contract kennel cough, have some messure of protection when they come into contact with it again. It's not complete immunity, but it's something. I never give my guys that vaccination anymore. With their diet, they are very healthy, and if they're going to get it, they're going to get it.

[Novel]

P.S. The spray bordatella vaccine does not work as well as the injectable. Lots of variables in the nasal, that's why.

Most important thing, I just want to reiterate, is to get your guys to stop coughing. Kennel Cough is an irritation of the larynx and throat. If they wear collars, take those off as they will further irritate the situation, and then get them on that cough supressant.
If they are treated with a cough suppressant within the first few hours of coughing, they can be fine in 2 or 3 days. The longer they've been coughing, the longer it takes to heal. An antibiotic is not necessary, it will not cure the kennel cough. The dogs immune system simply has to fight it off, just like the human cold. Vets often give an antibiotic though to ward against any secondary infections. If they've been coughing for a day or more, they should probably get some antibiotic, because they've really been ripping it up in there.

With kennel cough, you will have the constant coughing, which will keep getting worse. They will also cough up lots and lots of flem as they get worse. It's not pneumonia or a lung disease, but the coughing irritates everything. They're coughing because their throat itches or hurts. Often if you pet their throat you can bring on a spout of coughing, so again, take off any collars and don't pull on that area.
Many people think that their dog has something stuck in their throats. I've had to turn away many people at the door, and tell them to go to the vet, because they'll make an off hand comment, "This morning Fido's been coughing like he has something stuck in his throat, I looked, but didn't see anything." Sure the dog isn't actively coughing right now, but it's kennel cough. So far, I've never been wrong. And, the people that waited, and didn't believe me, have had a much sicker dog on their hands when they finally decided to act.

Problem is, because most people don't even realize their dog is sick, will take their dog to be boarded, and never mention the cough they heard last night, or the hack after the food this morning. Because kennel cough spread very very quickly, a dog that left on Friday afternoon, infected the dogs that came in Friday morning, and by Sunday, those dogs are coughing when their people come to get them.

OK, I'm blabbing. Kennel Cough is no worse than the common human cold. It can't really be vaccinated against since there are 100's of strains. Your dog will get better on its own, and supressing that cough will speed up the recovery time. An antibiotic, like penicillin, is not a bad idea if your dog has been coughing for more than a day, but the antibiotic is only to ward off any secondary infections, and will not actually do anything to cure the kennel cough.

[kerriebeth21]

Don't waste money on a vet visit. It will eventually go away. My dogs got kennel cough when we adopted cricket from the spca. It was ANNOYING! But after a week or so they all got over it.

[Sheltiemama]

Thanks for the insight Novel. My dog hasn't had kc yet but at least now I know what to look for as well as what to do for it.

[Pugdawg1]

That's the main reason why I don't board mine. Kennel cough runs rampant, no matter what kennel it is, IMO.. I do not vaccinate mine for it, since it covers so few strains, I don't see the point. Normally dogs get rid of it without a problem, occasionally they do wind up needing something from the vet, but often, they don't. Thankfully it's not a terribly serious thing. Just rather annoying.

[Novel]

You are most welcome Sheltiemama.

[okpik]

Thanks for the insight. This is my 1st time leaving them, I usually vacation in the woods with them.

Their cough is nonproductive (no flem at all) and just the occasional 4-5 cough burst 3-5 times a day. General malaise (just lays around).
The vet tech said Robitussin but it sounded hokey so I was going to have him seen today by the Vet. This is all since Sat. when I picked him up. Maybe longer if in kennel. Should I waste the trip to the Vet or just treat with the syrup?

[Novel]

I have had quite a bit of experience with kennel cough, having managed a kennel. I, personally, would just treat with Robitussin, I use the "Tussin" Walmart brand.
However, these are your dogs. You have to do what you feel comfortable with. If they were young, old or in some other way compromised health wise, I would take them in to the vet, but if we are speaking about healthy dogs in every other way, well, again, the decision is yours.
The vet is going to give an antibiotic, and send them home with instructions to keep them quiet, and treat with robitussin.
If the Robitussin doesn't help, or you notice any other signs that don't seem consistent with what is posted here, then a vet visit is in order. That's if you take them to the vet now or not, though.
There is always the possibility that it is something else, but given the circumstances and their symptoms, it's probably kennel cough, and unless your vet sees something that alerts otherwise, he/she is going to treat it as kennel cough.
I would never profess to be able to make sure fire diagnosis over the internet. That's lunacy, but... I think what we're all here for, is some advice. Go with what you feel comfortable with.

OK, I've said the same thing about 5 different ways now. Sorry.

When you administer the Robitussin, use a syringe, without the needle of course. Works great. Fill it up with the appropriate amount, and get it in by their back molars from the side, and squirt. No mess, unless you have a spitter, but even my resident spitter, Topper, doesn't seem to mind the taste. Go figure, the stuff makes me hurl!

[okpik]

Thanks Again.

[Novel]

You are entirely welcome!